Lesson 1 - Throwing Techniques
Strategic Foundations
•Year 8
•Dodgeball
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Can you develop an effective throwing technique that gives you the best chance of success in dodgeball?
Learning Objectives
- Understand how to work alongside and against others when attacking and defending
- Develop and apply effective throwing techniques in game situations
- Demonstrate understanding of rules and accept decisions given
Key Outcomes
- Students will demonstrate improved overarm throwing technique with accuracy
- Students will apply tactical thinking in attack and defence scenarios
- Students will work cooperatively in teams while competing fairly
Equipment & Resources Required
Store on centre line, equal numbers each side
Alternative: Tennis balls, bean bags for skill practice
Mark clear court boundaries and centre line
Alternative: Chalk lines, tape on floor
Various sizes for different skill levels
Alternative: Plastic bottles, bean bags
Key Vocabulary
Getting an opponent out of the game by hitting them with the ball
Throwing technique with arm coming over shoulder for power and accuracy
Ability to hit intended target consistently
Marked lines that define playing area and team zones
Ball hitting player directly without bouncing first
Using a ball in hand to deflect an incoming throw
Skill Progression Pathway
Understanding where pupils are coming from and where they're going
Prior Learning
- Basic ball handling skills from Key Stage 2
- Understanding of team game concepts
- Experience with target games and accuracy challenges
Current Skills
- Overarm throwing technique development
- Tactical awareness in attack and defence
- Rule application and fair play
Next Steps
- Advanced throwing variations (low, high, curved)
- Complex team strategies and formations
- Tournament organisation and officiating
Milestone Indicators
Key Teaching Points
- Emphasise accuracy over power in all throwing activities
- Consistently reinforce below-waist targeting for safety
- Connect skill practice directly to game application
- Encourage honest play and fair acknowledgement of hits
- Use positive competition to motivate skill development
- Focus on overarm throwing technique throughout
- Promote teamwork and communication during games
Common Misconceptions
- Harder throws are always more effective - teach that accuracy and placement are more important
- Aiming high makes catches harder - demonstrate why low throws are more difficult to catch
- Individual performance matters most - emphasise team cooperation and strategy
- Rules are flexible in competitive situations - maintain consistent rule application
- Technique doesn't matter in games - show how proper technique improves game performance
SEN Adaptations
ADHD
- Shorter activity bursts, clear movement boundaries, regular positive reinforcement, leadership roles
dyspraxia
- Larger softer balls, simplified throwing technique, reduced throwing distances, extra practice time
autism spectrum
- Clear predictable routines, quiet spaces available, visual schedules for lesson structure
visual impairment
- Use brightly coloured balls with bells inside, verbal descriptions of court layout, buddy system for positioning
hearing impairment
- Visual signals for game start/stop, written rule cards, clear sight lines for demonstrations
physical disability
- Seated throwing variations, modified court sizes, alternative equipment like bean bags
Cross-Curricular Links
Maths
Trajectory angles, scoring systems, time measurement, statistical analysis of hit rates
Science
Forces and motion in throwing, projectile motion, energy transfer from thrower to ball
Geography
Spatial awareness, coordinate systems in court layout, mapping movement patterns
PSHE
Leadership development, conflict resolution, resilience in competitive situations, working with diverse groups
Teacher Guidance
Positioning
Central location with clear view of all playing areas, move between courts during games
Observation Focus
Throwing technique development, target selection, team cooperation, fair play
Intervention Points
Step in for unsafe throwing, rule disputes, poor sportsmanship, or technique corrections
Demonstration Notes
Use exaggerated movements for technique demonstration, involve students in showing good/poor examples, maintain enthusiasm throughout
Verbal Cues
- •'Step and throw!'
- •'Aim low!'
- •'Great technique!'
- •'Work together!'
Safety Considerations
Space & Surface Requirements
Space Requirements
Large hall or outdoor space minimum 30m x 20m with clear boundaries
Surface Check
Non-slip surface, free from obstacles and hazards
Equipment Safety
Safety Checks
- •Soft dodgeballs appropriate for age group (not hard rubber)
- •Cones with rounded edges for boundary marking
- •Regular equipment checks for damage
Risk Management
Key Risks
- •Ball strikes to head/face area
- •Collisions between players
- •Slips from rapid direction changes
- •Overexertion in competitive situations
Risk Mitigation
- •Emphasise below-waist targeting consistently
- •Clear court boundaries to prevent collisions
- •Progressive warm-up to prepare muscles
- •Regular breaks and hydration opportunities
- •Clear rules about crossing boundaries
Supervision & Emergency Procedures
Supervision Points
- •Position for visibility of all courts simultaneously
- •Monitor throwing force and target areas
- •Watch for signs of fatigue or overexertion
- •Ensure fair play and honest acknowledgement of hits
Emergency Procedures
Stop play immediately for any injury, assess and provide appropriate first aid, have clear access routes for emergency services